How to Prepare Your Used Boat For Sale

Preparing your boat for sale is a lot of work, but it's easier than you might think. From getting the interior and exterior of your boat shipshape to taking a long list of vital measurements. To help you get started, we've outlined the steps we follow when preparing our boats for sale.

Step 1: Staging

As in the real-estate business, a boat also needs some ‘staging’. This refers to making a property look as appealing and inviting as possible, setting a stage where a buyer can envision themselves living there.

Clutter is the enemy and will put prospective buyers off. Before a viewing, clear out all the junk. Yes – ALL the clutter needs to go. It may seem like a pain and hard work but if you have the intention of selling then the vessel will need to be emptied out anyway, so why not do it sooner rather than later?

Step 2: Make it shine

It goes without saying that the boat needs to be cleaned but there are different variations of ‘clean’. It’s not a simple wipe-down and a quick vacuum clean. The boat needs to be spotless from top to bottom, inside and out.

Keep your boat clean, and make sure every nook and cranny is in tip-top shape. Polish stainless steel and metal fittings, varnish exterior woodwork, and pay attention to every drawer, cabinet, storage space . . . A clean boat will give the message that it has been cared for, so people will be put at ease.

Step 3: Be forthcoming

Hopefully, you have done the necessary maintenance on your boat. If the service schedule is in order then it will be smooth sailing with any prospective buyer. Be prepared for a barrage of questions service-wise, when, where, and what has been done.

Even if it’s been a while since the last factory service, it is worth having a tech has a quick once-over to bring it up to scratch. This way it is easier to be clear from the get-go about what condition your vessel is in, and having a service report will help you get to the finish line.

Step 4: Sort out those snags

Remember your ‘To Do’ list with all the little things you need to fix? Well, it’s time to get round to them. A lot of things that fall into this category are broken bits; peeling paint, a broken knob on a cabinet, a leaky hatch, and a blown bulb.

Best to walk around the vessel and jot down all the little things that can be fixed quite easily, which will make a big difference in the long run. Otherwise, a potential buyer will take note of those ‘little things’ and may then use them as a bargaining chip to reduce the asking price.

Preparing your boat for sale is easy once you know what to do. Follow the above steps to get your boat ready to sell and see the best results possible.

Note: Sell your boat for free at the boatguru.app

We know that selling a boat can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Our goal is to make the process simple and affordable, so you can get back to choosing your next sail.

That’s why we built boatguru.app—to eliminate the hassle of selling a boat and make your experience a breeze. We’re here to help you sell your boat with ease by providing you with a simple platform that allows you to post your boat for sale at no cost.

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